The force of destiny: A History of Italy Since 1796

By Christopher Duggan: An attempt to understand what "Italy" has meant to the many regions of the peninsula since Napoleon's first arrival

The history of Italy since Napoleon's first arrival on the peninsula has been told many times, most memorably by Denis Mack Smith. Italy is, after all, just about the best story in modern European history. It's so good because it's so unexpected. In 1796, the idea that Italy would be united within 75 years was ridiculous. How could a nation that was merely a "geographic expression" ever bring together irregular freedom fighters with educated aristocrats and peasant bandits to overthrow the most powerful forces of continental Europe, namely the French, the Austrians and the heavily protected Papal states?

Sadly, it was a lot more complicated than the romantic narrative of the 19th century would have us believe. Unification didn't bring unity, and it quickly became clear that patriotism had been a front for other issues: expansionism, republicanism, anticlericalism. Giuseppe Garibaldi was, in part, so idolised by Italians because he seemed